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Global energy transition investment exceeded $2 trln last year, report shows

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on January 30, 2025

2 min read

· Last updated: January 26, 2026

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Graph illustrating global low-carbon energy transition investment exceeding $2 trillion - Global Banking & Finance Review
This image depicts a graph showcasing the record $2.1 trillion investment in low-carbon energy transition, highlighting key growth areas like renewable energy and electrified transport, related to the article's discussion on global investment trends.
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LONDON (Reuters) - Global investment in low-carbon energy transition exceeded $2 trillion for the first time last year, a report by BloombergNEF showed on Thursday. WHY IT'S IMPORTANT Countries around

Global Investment in Low-Carbon Energy Transition Surpasses $2 Trillion

LONDON (Reuters) - Global investment in low-carbon energy transition exceeded $2 trillion for the first time last year, a report by BloombergNEF showed on Thursday.

WHY IT'S IMPORTANT

Countries around the world are investing in and developing cleaner sources of power and infrastructure to meet climate targets under the Paris Agreement but many experts say the pace is not fast enough.

Global energy transition investment needs to average $5.6 trillion each year from 2025 to 2030 to meet a net zero emissions target by mid-century. Current investment levels are only 37% of what is required to get on track, BloombergNEF's energy annual investment trends report said.

BY THE NUMBERS

Investment in the low-carbon energy transition grew by 11% last year to a record $2.1 trillion, driven by renewable energy, power grids and electrified transport and energy storage investment, according to the report.

However, the pace of growth was slower than in the previous three years when investment grew by 24-29% a year.

The largest market for investment was mainland China, which accounted for $818 billion of investment, up 20% from 2023.

CONTEXT

One of U.S. President Donald Trump's first acts on returning to office last week was to quit the Paris Agreement, which will slow U.S. climate funding internationally and increase the chance of global warming escalating.

KEY QUOTE

"There is still much more that needs to be done, especially in emerging areas like industrial decarbonisation, hydrogen and carbon capture, in order to reach global net-zero goals." said Albert Cheung, deputy chief executive of BloombergNEF.

(Reporting by Nina Chestney; Editing by Christina Fincher)

Key Takeaways

  • Global energy transition investment surpassed $2 trillion in 2023.
  • Investment needs to reach $5.6 trillion annually by 2025-2030.
  • China led with $818 billion in investment.
  • Growth rate slowed compared to previous years.
  • Emerging areas like hydrogen and carbon capture need more focus.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the total investment in low-carbon energy transition last year?
Global investment in low-carbon energy transition exceeded $2 trillion for the first time last year, reaching a record $2.1 trillion.
Which country was the largest market for energy transition investment?
Mainland China was the largest market, accounting for $818 billion of investment, which was a 20% increase from 2023.
What is the required annual investment to meet net-zero emissions by 2050?
Global energy transition investment needs to average $5.6 trillion each year from 2025 to 2030 to meet net-zero emissions targets by mid-century.
How much did investment grow last year compared to previous years?
Investment in the low-carbon energy transition grew by 11% last year, which was slower than the previous three years when growth rates were between 24-29%.
What are some emerging areas needing more investment?
Experts highlight the need for more investment in emerging areas like industrial decarbonisation, hydrogen, and carbon capture to achieve global net-zero goals.

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